City aims to reclaim title for health competition

The City of Dripping Springs is once again stepping up, for the 2019 It’s Time Texas Community Challenge (ITT). 

ITT is a free, statewide competition in which Texas communities compete to see which communities can demonstrate the greatest commitment to healthy living. It runs from Jan. 7 to Mar. 3, and is sponsored by HEB. The communities with the most points at the end of the “challenge,” will again receive grant money to go towards park improvements or a healthy living initiative.

In its press release, the city said the city was seeking to regain its title, which it won in 2017, but lost in 2018.  “Last year, Dripping Springs came in fifth place.  In 2017, we proved that our city is the most fit and active community in the state! We came out on top in our category of the ITT community challenge,” the city’s press release said. “Aside from bragging rights, the city was awarded an $1800 grant to use towards health and fitness for our community. The money was used for trail markers and map improvements at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The communities with the most points at the end of the challenge on March 3, will again receive a grant to go towards park improvements or a healthy living initiative.”

Competition points are earned by residents registering online at ittcommunitychallenge.com, selecting Dripping Springs as their community, and then documenting actions like healthy eating, workouts, walks, and similar healthy activity.  More information on point earning activities, including a list of FAQs is available at the site.

A “Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council” has been established as part of the challenge and is chaired by Mariana Espinoza, who serves as Parks and Community Services Director for the City of Dripping Springs. Dripping Springs ISD School Board Trustee Dr. Mary Jane Hetrick is serving as Vice Chair.

At a Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Jan. 24, Hetrick spoke about ITT and why people should participate describing it as a “win, win, win, win,” with four specific reasons:

• Dripping Springs can win grant money for health and wellness initiatives.
• The competition motivates residents to make daily healthy choices in their day-to-day and develop healthy habits.
• Individual participants can win prizes. There are weekly drawings based on participation.
• Community bonding—“It’s an opportunity to bring together the far reaches of the community, whether the address is Dripping Springs, Driftwood, or Austin—all who claim Dripping Springs as their community,” Hetrick said.

“This is the third year Dripping Springs has participated in the Challenge,” Hetrick said. “We won the competition in our first year and received grant money which was used for trail markers at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Last year Smithville won, and we came in fifth place. This year we’re currently in second place behind Smithville, but the Challenge doesn’t end until March third. Remember, we earn 500 points just registering a new resident who is 13 years or older, and most daily activities earn about 200 points. I can think of many sports clichés about coming from behind to win the game. Also, businesses can do ‘Healthy Workplace’ events to earn points above and beyond individual registrants.”

For more information about the Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council, you can visit the city’s website at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com.